Kids short needs artist who prefers a more cartoony style
Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 11:45 pm
I have a little 6 page short that I wrote geared towards younger kids and I'm seeking an up and coming artist to help me create it. I have the full script done. I would prefer this to be a free project, I'm just getting into this as well. I think it would be a cool little thing to add to a portfolio. Email me if interested. gage_cline@aol.com. Thanks
Panel 1 (Upper half of page)
The Odd Life of Happenstance
Story: Gage Cline
Panel 2 (Bottom left portion of page.)
Happenstance is looking out a window (First-Person, he is unseen).
He overlooks the front lawn and vacant driveway. The day is dreary and dull, it might rain soon. Happenstance fixates on an old oak tree in the yard.
Top left corner of panel
Happenstance (Narrating to the reader): Life is a curious thing…
Bottom right corner
Happenstance (Narrating): What defines life? I have to ask myself these things, given my situation.
Panel 3 ( Bottom right of page)
Still looking through the same window but instead of focusing on the oak tree, Happenstance notices a red car pull into the driveway as it begins to rain.
Bottom right corner of panel
Happenstance (Narrating): The boy in the backseat is my reason for living. I don’t quite know why or how I’m here, but I know it has to do with him…
Page 2 (4 Panels)
Panel 1 (Top left of page)
CAPTION: 6 years ago
We’re in a living room, its Christmas time, a young Jimmy, 7 years old, is sitting on the floor beside a huge Christmas tree. The boy’s mother is sitting on a chair beside him.
Mom: Sweetie, I know it’s hard without your daddy here, but he wouldn’t want us to be sad on Christmas.
Jimmy: I--I just want him back.
Mom: Well you at least need to open one present. Get the big one from the back of the tree.
Panel 2 (Top right of page)
We see a close-up of Jimmy opening the present. Only his hand is visible in the panel. On the left side of the gift, a sticker is visible, TO: My little man FROM: Dad. The right side of the package is where Jimmy tore into the present. A Happenstance the Robot toy is partially visible underneath the wrapping paper.
Panel 3 (Stretched across the middle)
CAPTION: 5 years ago
An 8 year old Jimmy is running around in his bedroom with his arms spread out like an airplane. Happenstance is sitting on his shoulders with his arms out as well.
Panel 4 (Stretched across bottom)
CAPTION: 3 years ago
A 10 year old Jimmy is playing in his backyard with Happenstance once again. This time they each have toy swords and they’re fighting.
Page 3 (5 Panels)
Panel 1 (Top left corner of page)
CAPTION: Present
The perspective is further away now. The reader sees Happenstance the Robot peering through the window (Back facing reader). He’s standing on top of a computer desk in Jimmy’s bedroom. He can be wearing whatever clothing you feel most comfortable drawing. The décor of the room can be up to your imagination too. Maybe a bed is partially visible and a bookcase, some posters on the wall, kid stuff.
Top left corner
Happenstance (Inner monologue): That’s odd…they’re home way earlier than usual.
Happenstance: Something isn’t right…
Panel 2 (Top right of page)
Close up of Happenstance as he turns his head to the side to look over his shoulder. The slamming of the front door catches his attention. (Maybe add a sound effect on the right side of the panel to reflect the slam of the door).
Happenstance: Yep, something is definitely wrong.
Panel 3 (Directly below panel 1)
The perspective of the panel is looking at the wall with the bedroom door. Happenstance is seen jumping off of the desk just as Jimmy opens the bedroom door and walks in, clearly upset. Jimmy, 13 years old, stands about 4’7” and a bit on the scrawny side. His shaggy, unkempt red hair almost covers his eyes. The weight of being bullied by his peers weighs heavily on him. The signs of a fight are apparent: stretched out collar, torn shirt and jeans, a bloodied up cheek, and an eye that’s sure to blacken the next day.
Panel 4 (Below panel 2)
This panel is a close-up of Jimmy’s face as he enters the bedroom. He’s looking down at the ground. The vulnerability in his eyes shows just how much sadness he carries around with him on a daily basis. Tears flood his face.
Jimmy: Why do these things always happen to me?
Happenstance (Unseen): Sit down kiddo.
Panel 5 (Stretch panel, across the bottom of the page)
Jimmy drops down to his knees and sits across from Happenstance. Happenstance is already sitting down. A combination of anger and sadness overwhelms Jimmy.
Happenstance: What Happened buddy?
Jimmy: Stupid kids from school…and I just don’t get why--
Happenstance: Try an calm down, when you get a little bit older, trust me, you’ll come to pity these boys, not hate them.
Jimmy: No. Not just about the bullies. I have no parents!
Page 4 ( 3 Panels)
Panel 1 (Stretch panel across top)
CAPTION: 6 years ago
We see a road running up and down the panel. It’s winter time; the ground is covered with snow as well as some parts of the road. The scenery is rural, maybe a snow-covered trees and a barn are visible on the left and maybe a house on the right, and street signs, typical things you’d find on a road. It’s dark outside. A single blue car is seen driving up, away from the perspective of the panel.
Panel 2 (Stretched across middle)
The same car is seen driving down the road, this time from a side perspective. The driver is unseen through the tinted windows. He’s talking on the phone.
Driver: There’s just something I have to do. I can’t let him down again. I’ve been working late everyday this month, and it’s Christmas! I’m not missing another one, I’m sorry…
Panel 3(Across bottom)
This panel is the exact same as the first panel on this page except that the car is further along the road closer to the top of the panel, driving towards the horizon. The moon shines brightly.
Page 5 (2 Panels)
Panel 1(Left portion of page)
CAPTION: Present
We’re back in Jimmy’s bedroom. Jimmy is sitting on the ground still talking with Happenstance, who is now standing across from him.
Happenstance: You have a mom that loves you more than anything!
Jimmy: She doesn’t listen to me anymore. I like when she used to listen to what I have to say…
Panel 2(Right portion of page)
This panel is focused on Jimmy. Jimmy has completely broken down and is crying while talking to Happenstance.
Jimmy: I--I miss him so much. Why did he have to be taken away from me?
Happenstance: Buddy I know losing your dad was awful. But now you know more than anyone how precious time is. Spend all your time loving your mom, not fighting with her.
Jimmy: I don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t here Happ.
Happenstance: I’ll always be here Jim.
Page 6(Splash Page)
CAPTION: 6 years ago
A man in his mid 30’s is standing at the counter of a convenience store purchasing a cheap Happenstance toy robot. The background is filled with things typically seen in a convenience store.
Store Clerk: That all for you sir?
Man: Yessir, it’s the little one’s Christmas present,
Clerk: Last minute shoppin’ huh?
Man: Yea I didn’t even think I’d be home for Christmas this year, but I need to be there for them.
Clerk: Good for you man. But hey, in your hurry, you best be careful out there, the roads are really icy.
A small square in the bottom right of the page is a little mini panel. All that’s in it is a close up of the man’s face as he leaves through the door, waving goodbye to the store clerk.
Man: Thanks for the warning friend.
THE END
Panel 1 (Upper half of page)
The Odd Life of Happenstance
Story: Gage Cline
Panel 2 (Bottom left portion of page.)
Happenstance is looking out a window (First-Person, he is unseen).
He overlooks the front lawn and vacant driveway. The day is dreary and dull, it might rain soon. Happenstance fixates on an old oak tree in the yard.
Top left corner of panel
Happenstance (Narrating to the reader): Life is a curious thing…
Bottom right corner
Happenstance (Narrating): What defines life? I have to ask myself these things, given my situation.
Panel 3 ( Bottom right of page)
Still looking through the same window but instead of focusing on the oak tree, Happenstance notices a red car pull into the driveway as it begins to rain.
Bottom right corner of panel
Happenstance (Narrating): The boy in the backseat is my reason for living. I don’t quite know why or how I’m here, but I know it has to do with him…
Page 2 (4 Panels)
Panel 1 (Top left of page)
CAPTION: 6 years ago
We’re in a living room, its Christmas time, a young Jimmy, 7 years old, is sitting on the floor beside a huge Christmas tree. The boy’s mother is sitting on a chair beside him.
Mom: Sweetie, I know it’s hard without your daddy here, but he wouldn’t want us to be sad on Christmas.
Jimmy: I--I just want him back.
Mom: Well you at least need to open one present. Get the big one from the back of the tree.
Panel 2 (Top right of page)
We see a close-up of Jimmy opening the present. Only his hand is visible in the panel. On the left side of the gift, a sticker is visible, TO: My little man FROM: Dad. The right side of the package is where Jimmy tore into the present. A Happenstance the Robot toy is partially visible underneath the wrapping paper.
Panel 3 (Stretched across the middle)
CAPTION: 5 years ago
An 8 year old Jimmy is running around in his bedroom with his arms spread out like an airplane. Happenstance is sitting on his shoulders with his arms out as well.
Panel 4 (Stretched across bottom)
CAPTION: 3 years ago
A 10 year old Jimmy is playing in his backyard with Happenstance once again. This time they each have toy swords and they’re fighting.
Page 3 (5 Panels)
Panel 1 (Top left corner of page)
CAPTION: Present
The perspective is further away now. The reader sees Happenstance the Robot peering through the window (Back facing reader). He’s standing on top of a computer desk in Jimmy’s bedroom. He can be wearing whatever clothing you feel most comfortable drawing. The décor of the room can be up to your imagination too. Maybe a bed is partially visible and a bookcase, some posters on the wall, kid stuff.
Top left corner
Happenstance (Inner monologue): That’s odd…they’re home way earlier than usual.
Happenstance: Something isn’t right…
Panel 2 (Top right of page)
Close up of Happenstance as he turns his head to the side to look over his shoulder. The slamming of the front door catches his attention. (Maybe add a sound effect on the right side of the panel to reflect the slam of the door).
Happenstance: Yep, something is definitely wrong.
Panel 3 (Directly below panel 1)
The perspective of the panel is looking at the wall with the bedroom door. Happenstance is seen jumping off of the desk just as Jimmy opens the bedroom door and walks in, clearly upset. Jimmy, 13 years old, stands about 4’7” and a bit on the scrawny side. His shaggy, unkempt red hair almost covers his eyes. The weight of being bullied by his peers weighs heavily on him. The signs of a fight are apparent: stretched out collar, torn shirt and jeans, a bloodied up cheek, and an eye that’s sure to blacken the next day.
Panel 4 (Below panel 2)
This panel is a close-up of Jimmy’s face as he enters the bedroom. He’s looking down at the ground. The vulnerability in his eyes shows just how much sadness he carries around with him on a daily basis. Tears flood his face.
Jimmy: Why do these things always happen to me?
Happenstance (Unseen): Sit down kiddo.
Panel 5 (Stretch panel, across the bottom of the page)
Jimmy drops down to his knees and sits across from Happenstance. Happenstance is already sitting down. A combination of anger and sadness overwhelms Jimmy.
Happenstance: What Happened buddy?
Jimmy: Stupid kids from school…and I just don’t get why--
Happenstance: Try an calm down, when you get a little bit older, trust me, you’ll come to pity these boys, not hate them.
Jimmy: No. Not just about the bullies. I have no parents!
Page 4 ( 3 Panels)
Panel 1 (Stretch panel across top)
CAPTION: 6 years ago
We see a road running up and down the panel. It’s winter time; the ground is covered with snow as well as some parts of the road. The scenery is rural, maybe a snow-covered trees and a barn are visible on the left and maybe a house on the right, and street signs, typical things you’d find on a road. It’s dark outside. A single blue car is seen driving up, away from the perspective of the panel.
Panel 2 (Stretched across middle)
The same car is seen driving down the road, this time from a side perspective. The driver is unseen through the tinted windows. He’s talking on the phone.
Driver: There’s just something I have to do. I can’t let him down again. I’ve been working late everyday this month, and it’s Christmas! I’m not missing another one, I’m sorry…
Panel 3(Across bottom)
This panel is the exact same as the first panel on this page except that the car is further along the road closer to the top of the panel, driving towards the horizon. The moon shines brightly.
Page 5 (2 Panels)
Panel 1(Left portion of page)
CAPTION: Present
We’re back in Jimmy’s bedroom. Jimmy is sitting on the ground still talking with Happenstance, who is now standing across from him.
Happenstance: You have a mom that loves you more than anything!
Jimmy: She doesn’t listen to me anymore. I like when she used to listen to what I have to say…
Panel 2(Right portion of page)
This panel is focused on Jimmy. Jimmy has completely broken down and is crying while talking to Happenstance.
Jimmy: I--I miss him so much. Why did he have to be taken away from me?
Happenstance: Buddy I know losing your dad was awful. But now you know more than anyone how precious time is. Spend all your time loving your mom, not fighting with her.
Jimmy: I don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t here Happ.
Happenstance: I’ll always be here Jim.
Page 6(Splash Page)
CAPTION: 6 years ago
A man in his mid 30’s is standing at the counter of a convenience store purchasing a cheap Happenstance toy robot. The background is filled with things typically seen in a convenience store.
Store Clerk: That all for you sir?
Man: Yessir, it’s the little one’s Christmas present,
Clerk: Last minute shoppin’ huh?
Man: Yea I didn’t even think I’d be home for Christmas this year, but I need to be there for them.
Clerk: Good for you man. But hey, in your hurry, you best be careful out there, the roads are really icy.
A small square in the bottom right of the page is a little mini panel. All that’s in it is a close up of the man’s face as he leaves through the door, waving goodbye to the store clerk.
Man: Thanks for the warning friend.
THE END